Birmingham police uphold ban on Israeli supporters for Europa League match
Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group and West Midlands Police have stood firm on their controversial prohibition of Israeli supporters from the forthcoming Europa League clash, following a comprehensive reassessment of security concerns, reports BritPanorama.
The multi-agency panel convened privately to reconsider their stance after facing intense criticism from Westminster and community leaders who denounced the exclusion as discriminatory. Despite pledges from the Home Office to supply whatever resources were required to facilitate safe attendance for Israeli supporters, authorities concluded that maintaining the prohibition remained essential for public safety.
The decision affects approximately 1,500 tickets that would typically be allocated to visiting supporters for the 6 November fixture at Villa Park, effectively creating an unprecedented zero-capacity arrangement for the away section. The Prime Minister condemned the ruling as “wrong”, declaring that antisemitism would not be tolerated on British streets. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood joined the chorus of disapproval alongside prominent Jewish community figures who expressed alarm at the precedent being established.
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, warned that the prohibition risked creating an impression of “no-go zones” within the country. He stated: “The ridiculous decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from watching their team play Aston Villa risks giving the impression that there are ‘no-go’ zones in this country.” Former West Midlands police chief Mat Shaer, recognised for his anti-hate crime initiatives, described the ruling as “embarrassing”, whilst the Campaign Against Antisemitism indicated they would pursue legal remedies should the prohibition remain in place.
The Board of Deputies proposed an alternative arrangement approximately ten days ago, offering to distribute 500 tickets among British Jewish football supporters in the away section. The proposal included organised bus transport to ensure safe passage to and from the stadium, with both verbal discussions and written exchanges taking place between the parties involved. According to the Board, while West Midlands Police initially showed willingness to accommodate the arrangement, Aston Villa failed to engage meaningfully with the proposal.
Birmingham City Council confirmed that the multi-agency panel had convened to evaluate public safety implications surrounding the Europa League encounter. A council representative stated: “A multi-agency Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has met to consider any public safety impacts relating to the Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv football match.” The spokesperson confirmed that partners concurred with police intelligence designating the fixture as high risk. “In order to support public safety and reduce risk to the lowest possible level the SAG advised on options that would minimise significant public safety impacts, including no away fans attending,” they added.
Intelligence assessments that informed the prohibition reportedly identified risks from multiple sources, including extremist elements among Israeli supporters based on European police intelligence. West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford defended the professional judgment behind the assessment, though specific reports remain confidential. Anticipated demonstrations include pro-Palestine activists, pro-Israel counter-protesters, anti-racism groups, and potential appearances by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The Jewish News reported Robinson might attempt to exploit the situation by attending the match, adding another security dimension.
As the backdrop of tensions unfolds outside the stadium, the decision may well test the resilience of both sport and society. In Birmingham, the stakes extend beyond a mere football match, highlighting the fragile interplay of safety, community, and the spirit of the game.
